I realize that exhausts are personal preference so everyone has different opinions on what the best is but .... I am very new to tweaking trucks and trying to improve performance. Ive always just driven them stock. Anyway, what should I be looking for in a performance exhaust? Certain diameter pipe? Specific brand? Stainless or another material? And can I as a novice expect to install it myself or should I take it somewhere? Id appreciate any help...

 

stainless for sure- you've got siso (single in, single out) sido (single in, dual out) then split rear exhaust (if you've got a SIDO obviously) you've got exit before the rear tire (think lightnight style) brands: magnaflow, flowmaster, borla, gibson, Roush...
im running a Roush Offroad SIDO

 

You really shouldnt look to exhaust for performace. If you want cheap performace get an EDGE or and Xcal2. Aside from that sound wise flowmaster all the way! Or go what I did and run No muffler

 

i like my flowmaster,and there really isn't any point in payin alot extra for stainless steel when the rest of your exhaust is aluminized steel.i've never had any problems with mine rustin out,other than the cheap mufflers on my '76.i would suggest just gettin a muffler and havin a good exhaust shop put it on for you.if you run it out the side before the rear wheels it'll be cheaper,and either way probably cheaper than buyin a kit and installin it yourself.

 

you can get a small turbo style bullet muffler for cheap like under 50 bucks. SISO and small so you dont loose your low end torque.

BTW ive got a SISO dynomax bullet dumped under cab.
-Patrick